Top pick: #8 (ORALE VATO) - Improving gelding by "Grand Slam" started his career in the barn of Todd Pletcher and was sold privately this past fall and is now in the barn Pete Walder. Working nicely for his first race in almost 3 months, he finished second at this distance racing for twice this price at Philly Park Oct. 30. Barn is off to a fast start at this meet and Walder reaches out to jockey John Velazquez for this attempt. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (The A Train) - Improving colt by "Silver Train" finished second at Calder Jan. 1 facing slightly tougher going two turns. Cuts back a turn and has a nice work on this surface Jan 12. His trainer Wayne Catalano is off to a fast start at this meet. Win candidate if he repeats his last outing.
3rd pick: #2 (Certain Appeal) - Hasn't shown much in his first 2 starts but was very wide in his debut and last out he had much improved speed. Trainer Ed Kenneally drops him way down this afternoon and adds blinkers to his equipment. Barn has him spotted to be competitive and he should be in this spot.